A Caerphilly-based paramedic has helped raise much-needed money for the Wales Air Ambulance service.
Tim Austin works for the Welsh Ambulance Service at Caerphilly ambulance station and took part in the Paris-Roubaix Challenge on Easter weekend to raise funds for the charity.
The 30-year-old cycled 145km along roads and difficult cobbled sections on a route known as the ‘Hell of the North’, which follows the same route as the professional cyclists taking part in the main event the next day.
Tim is part of the joint response unit which responds to incidents in the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board area alongside special constables from Gwent Police.
In his job he regularly sees the care provided by those working on the four Wales Air Ambulance helicopters, which provide emergency air cover for people with life-threatening illnesses or injuries.
Tim said: “My main reason for wanting to do it is that I tend to interact a lot with the Wales Air Ambulance at incidents where critical care is required, and as they’re a charity I wanted to give something back.
“I used to do a fair bit of cycling when I was younger and represented Wales once, but mostly it was club level racing.
“I’ve been training a lot on the turbo trainer at home, but I’ve not been on the bike properly for years so it will be very challenging.
“So far I’ve raised about £1,100 including Gift Aid. I’ve set the target at £2,500, and I’m hoping to raise enough for at least one mission which they estimate costs about £1,500.
“The Wales Air Ambulance is a very worthwhile charity to support as you never know if you will need their help some day.”
Each year, £6.5 million is needed to run the service, which can reach anyone in Wales within 20 minutes. It relies solely on charitable donations.
• To donate to Tim visit https://goo.gl/Cgrk2d.